"Tobacco in all its forms is harmful and particularly a big contributor to non-communicable diseases. Anti-tobacco advocacy is the major task of the ministry and that's why we have flagged off the issue and have identified alternative crops," the official said.

According to estimates, 85 per cent of the world's bidi tobacco is grown in India, occupying about 35 per cent of the total area under tobacco cultivation, and concentrated mostly in Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Health Ministry says that cheap labour and better workmanship make West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka the major centres of bidi rolling. "The state governments will have to be informed about the new research, as the ministry's aim is to reduce tobacco usage which will go down only if the production goes down," the official said.

HOLY SMOKE

•In India, 19% of tobacco consumption is in the form of cigarettes.

• 53% is consumed in the form of bidis.

• The rest is mainly smokeless form